-15392.pdf

OFOC SOP Revision 06 Page 1 of 3 Original Date: 03/22/11 Revision 06 Date: 08/30/2017

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>$250K to $700K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: VA260-18-AP-0967___________

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20, VA Puget Sound Health Care

System

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: 663-18-1-8125-0015

This is a request for other than full and open competition for participation and collaboration on the Health Services Research and Development grant entitled, “Integrating Smoking Cessation with Lung Cancer Screening." The grant is funded by the VA, conducted at the Seattle/Denver VA Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care. The action will be a Firm-Fixed Price new contract with a total estimated value of $417,345.00.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

The contract with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) will be to provide smoking cessation information to determine the most effective method(s) for getting veterans to stop smoking as part of a research project that is expected to last 42 months.

The Puget Sound VA Healthcare System research project for smoking cessation with the FHCRC will consist of 250 veterans participating in the study. 125 veterans will receive traditional counseling and 125 will receive alternative counseling. The traditional counseling and the VA alternative methods of counseling will be shared with veterans through FHCRC’s Cancer Information Service (counseling service).

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

FAR 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items: This procurement is for research using Motivational Interviewing (a guided counseling technique) to get veteran to stop smoking in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisitions Procedures are exempt for the requirements of FAR Part 6.

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition

Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

The FHCRC currently has a national contract with the VA via their Cancer Information Service to provide traditional counseling to veterans to get them to stop smoking. Dr. Jaimee Heffner is currently an Assistant member at FHCRC and is listed in the federal grant as a co-investigator for this research project. She has done extensive research on smoking cessation with VA Primary Investigator, Dr. Steven Zeliadt for veterans.

OFOC SOP Revision 06 Page 2 of 3

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

The Fred Hutch Cancer Information Service is the sole provider of VA Quitline telephone counseling services, therefore it is the only potential source for contracting for this supplemental service.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be

Fair and Reasonable:

The pricing is based established industry standards in this field of expertise for smoking cessation and counseling service research. The hourly rate plus overhead, is the same as what FHCRC would change any other non-profit or for-profit organization.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted:

There is a Medical Affiliation Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Puget Sound VA Healthcare System and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). Per OSDBU Small Business Policy Memo, dated 22 June 2016, and VA Directive 1663, para 6.h. dated 10 August 2006, OSDBU authorizes an exception to the small business requirement when research is in conjunction with an authorized affiliate. Because of the OSDBU waiver, no other market research was performed.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

The Puget Sound VA as authorized by the VA Under Secretary for Heath will be performing a research study via a federal grant in smoking cessation for veterans, who have a harder time quitting smoking than non-veterans. FHCRC and Dr. Heffner are listed in the federal grant to provide Motivational Interviewing (MI) counseling as part of the research for smoking cessation.

Dr. Heffner previously worked for the VA doing smoking cessation research, and understands the VA clinical requirements and VA standards when working with Veteran Beneficiaries.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

No other sources expressed interest except Dr. Heffner of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

No future actions are possible unless the VA Quitline telephone services are transferred from the Fred Hutch Cancer Information Service to another agency. The Cancer Information Service regularly re-competes for this award, and was selected for a five-year period that began in 2017. If telephone counseling services are transferred to another agency, we will work with that new agency to identify subsequent acquisitions. However, it is not anticipated there will be any changes during the entire period of this multi-year contract.

OFOC SOP Revision 06 Page 3 of 3

12. Requirements Certification:

I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_____Jane Summerfield______ 8/23/2018 Name: Jane Summerfield Date:

Facility: VA Puget Sound- 663

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM, Part 806.3 OFOC SOP.

a. Contracting Officer or Designee’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Lisa Spiral O’Neil Date:

Contracting Officer VISN 20, Services 2, Acquisitions Team

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding$700K):

I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Karen Dailey Date:

Branch Chief, Services 2 Team Network Contracting Office 20 (NCO 20) http://vaww.pclo.infoshare.va.gov/PCLO/PMWeb/VHAPM_Part_806.3.aspx